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Children and adolescents have special depression treatment needs because other issues such as ADHD can resemble depression, while certain antidepressants can actually enhance suicidal thoughts in teenagers. Learn how to help a young person in this free video on depression.
In 1946, American psychiatrist René Spitz wrote "Hospitalism," a report of his experience with children in two institutional settings. He concluded that children who do not have a significant relationship with a caregiver will suffer from what he termed "anaclytic depression," a debilitating and potentially fatal disease. Spitz's seminal findings remain valid today. Contemporary sociologists and psychologists regard "hospitalism" as a form of pediatric separation disorder.
According to the Relationship of Self Esteem and Depression in Adolescence, depression can affect middle school children. Many middle school children suffer from the effects of depression in their schoolwork, social life and self-esteem, especially considering adolescence is an extremely vulnerable time. The Relationship of Self Esteem and Depression in Adolescence states that the peak age of depression equates to the years when self-esteem is lowest.
Reports that Singulair causes depression in children may be anecdotal; however, the claims are serious enough that Merck, the company that manufactures Singulair, includes depression among reported side effects of Singulair.
While divorce is a painful process for all involved, children can be deeply affected when parents separate. One common by-product of divorce is depression in children, a painful and difficult situation for them to deal with.
Talking to your child about depression does not have to be a scary discussion with many technical terms that they cannot understand. These days children of elementary age are smarter than we give them credit for and can understand the situation well. Whether you think they are showing signs of depression themselves, or if they have a loved one who is diagnosed with clinical depression, the facts are the same. There are easy ways to educate your child about this medical condition.
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, children can suffer from depression.Depression, caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, is a treatable mental illness.
There is usually a combination of reasons for depression in children. It's normal for children to be sad on occasion; children with depression have more than the average rainy-day blues. There has not been as much research conducted on childhood depression as there has with adult depression; however, there are theories about the causes.
Depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) is a mental health condition that can occur in children and adults. The diagnosis is made when symptoms are present but do not meet criteria for other mood disorders such as major depression or dysthymia. Depressive disorder NOS can be treated with counseling and medications, depending on the severity of symptoms. Talking to a health provider can help in establishing a treatment plan for the condition.
Children are faced with an overwhelming amount of change. Stress can result from new schools, making new friends, experiencing loss (death, divorce, moving), entering puberty and finding one's sexual identity. Depression and suicide rates are at an alarming level with our children. According to concernedcounseling.com, about 22% of children with depression will attempt suicide, and about 3% to 4% of adolescents have thought about suicide in the last two weeks.
Depression interferes with all aspects of functioning for children who are experiencing the symptoms. In fact, a diagnosis of depression is dependent on how significant the levels of functioning are affected. School performance in elementary aged children is negatively impacted by depression.
Depression in children is extremely dangerous. It can lead to destructive behaviors such as alcohol and substance abuse, sexual promiscuity and suicide. Symptoms of depression include lethargy, insomnia and excessive sleeping, eating disorders and anti-social behavior. It is important to notice any changes in a child's behavior and seek help for the child should depression become an issue.
It's tough explaining a psychological condition or mental illness to a child. Children don't understand why someone might behave strangely, and may feel that they themselves are the cause of the strange behavior. Depression is a particularly common psychological condition, and it often entails intense displays of emotion. Ignoring it or pretending there is nothing wrong will lead the child to draw his own conclusions and may make the situation worse. If someone in your family or inner circle suffers from depression, sit down with your child and explain it in terms that he can understand.
Depression does not only affect adults and adolescents, it can also affect young children. Elementary school and even preschool age children can suffer from depression. Although all young children may have occasional feelings of sadness, suffering from depression is more serious. The causes of depression in children vary, but can include, a chaotic family situation or a parent's divorce. Some children may also develop depression after the death of a parent or sibling. Although the Federal Drug Administration has approved certain anti-depressant medications for children over the age of eight, there are other ways to address the condition.
In children, signs of depression include excess sleep, avoidance, the creation of headaches and stomach aches to avoid activities, excess eating and a decrease in the enjoyment of pleasurable activities. Seek a family physician or therapist if a child shows signs of depression with help from a psychotherapist and licensed mental health counselor in this free video on depression.
Funnel chest is a congenital deformity of the chest wall in which abnormal growth of the sternum and several ribs causes the anterior chest wall to appear caved-in. Almost all deformities of the chest wall are caused by funnel chest syndrome, and it occurs once in every 300 to 400 births.
Depression is more common in children than you might imagine. Aside from cases of depression that are purely biological in nature, children can become depressed due to a variety of things. Divorce, teasing from peers and academic difficulties in school can all contribute to depression in children. In fact, approximately 5 percent of children in the developed world have symptoms of depression. That is why it's helpful to know what to watch for if you suspect a child you know may be depressed.
